Search: Peak Power

Geely is developing a 1,000 volt architecture for electric vehicles to reduce charging times beyond its current 800 volt systems. The group has installed charging points with peak outputs up to 1,500 kW. In recent tests, the Lynk & Co 01 with a 95 kWh battery charged from 10 to 80 per cent in 5 minutes 32 seconds and reached 1,100 kW at a Zeekr fast charging station, though power dropped to 430 kW at a BYD Flash Charging Station.

Why it matters: Ultra high power charging infrastructure above 1,000 kW will require upgraded grid connections, cooling systems and safety protocols that CPOs must plan for in procurement cycles. The performance gap between Zeekr and BYD stations highlights how charger compatibility and power delivery will shape site specifications and OEM partnerships.

Electric vehicle owners in North Andhra's Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts face difficulties finding functional charging points, despite data from Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited showing public stations in Visakhapatnam rose from 71 in August 2025 to 84 by March 2026, with usage peaking at 0.176 MU in March 2026. Delivery workers and rental operators report that infrastructure development has not kept pace with rising EV demand, prompting private firms to install stations at tourist destinations such as Annavaram.

Why it matters: The gap between station numbers and user experience signals that procurement must prioritise reliability and geographic spread, not just headline counts. Private operators stepping in to serve tourist routes may open niche tender opportunities for CPOs targeting high footfall locations.

Three major charging networks in Hungary have introduced restrictions between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. to reduce peak electricity demand. MOL has cut output on its 150 kW or faster Plugee chargers to 100 kW, E.ON Drive Infrastructure has halved available power at sites with 300 kW or higher capacity chargers from 3 August, and EV.app has imposed a temporary tariff of 420 forints per kilowatt hour for sessions started during evening hours. The measures respond to grid pressure from air conditioning and broader energy consumption.

Why it matters: Procurement teams and charge point operators must now factor evening demand management into site design, tariff structures and customer communications, particularly where high power infrastructure is planned. The Hungarian precedent shows how grid constraints can force operational changes that affect utilisation and revenue during commercially important hours.

Automotive supplier MAHLE has launched a range extender system for heavy-duty electric trucks that replaces approximately one third of battery capacity with a compact diesel engine and generator unit. The self-contained assembly delivers 110 kW continuous power (130 kW peak) and reduces total vehicle weight by around 600 kg while cutting rear axle load by 400 kg. MAHLE also introduced a Contactless Transmitter electric motor for commercial vehicle drive axles that eliminates permanent magnets, saving up to 3 kg of rare earth materials per vehicle and achieving 10% lower weight than permanent magnet synchronous motors.

Why it matters: The range extender offers fleet operators a lighter, potentially lower cost alternative to full battery electric trucks for long haul applications, while the rare earth free motor addresses supply chain risks and material cost volatility in commercial EV procurement. Both technologies target the heavy duty segment where charging infrastructure gaps and payload constraints remain barriers to electrification.

Battery maker Molicel has introduced the INR-21700-P70X, the first cell in its PX series designed to bridge lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors. The cell offers 7,000 mAh capacity, 340 Wh/kg specific energy, 30C continuous discharge, and 900 W peak power with under 200 microsecond response time. Molicel tested the cell under a supercapacitor-like profile and reports 96% capacity retention after 1,000,000 cycles, targeting the hybrid market which reached 20% of US new vehicle sales and 24% in Europe during 2025.

Why it matters: The cell's rapid response and million-cycle durability address hybrid duty cycles that differ fundamentally from BEV deep discharge patterns, potentially influencing battery procurement strategies as hybrids capture growing market share. Molicel's UL9540A thermal runaway certification may also inform safety specifications for charging infrastructure serving hybrid fleets.

Driventic, a Voith spin-off active since November 2025, has started production of the VEDS 1.5 electric drive system for commercial vehicles. The update features a 22 kg drive inverter with integrated management unit, automotive-compliant connectors for quicker fitting and maintenance, and motors rated at 240 kW or 320 kW continuous power with peak output to 390 kW. The company reports it has supplied more than 4,000 VEDS units to bus and truck makers since the platform debuted in 2019.

Why it matters: Lighter, faster to install drivetrains can lower assembly costs and downtime for fleet operators, while the automotive cybersecurity certification may ease procurement approvals. The 4,000-unit install base signals proven supply for OEMs tendering medium and heavy-duty electric platforms.

Geely has launched its latest Golden Brick battery with a 95 kWh capacity and 900 V architecture, achieving peak charging speeds of 1,100 kW and charging from 10% to 70% in less than 4 minutes and 30 seconds. The lithium iron phosphate pack, debuting on the Lynk & Co 10+ sedan, can charge from 10% to 97% in 8 minutes and 42 seconds whilst sustaining 500 kW at 80% state of charge. Geely plans to deploy stations supporting these speeds through its Zeekr Power charging network in China.

Why it matters: The 1,100 kW capability sets a new benchmark for ultra rapid charging infrastructure requirements, signalling that CPOs and network operators will need to upgrade hardware specifications to remain competitive. Geely's commitment to rolling out compatible Zeekr Power stations creates immediate procurement opportunities for suppliers of megawatt scale charging equipment and cooling systems in the Chinese market.

Cherry Creek School District in Colorado has deployed six electric school buses that use bi-directional charging to return stored energy to the local power grid during peak evening demand. Highland Electric Fleets designed the system to discharge excess battery capacity after school runs, then recharge overnight when demand is lowest. The buses and depot facility are funded by a $2.4 million rebate collected by Highland Electric Fleets.

Why it matters: The project demonstrates vehicle to grid technology at scale in the school transport sector, offering a revenue model for fleet operators and showing how depot charging infrastructure can support grid stability while reducing operational costs.

European high-power charging network IONITY has introduced customer incentives that award kWh credits for ending sessions at 80% state of charge or charging during off-peak hours. The Fast Lane Reward offers a five kWh credit to drivers who disconnect before reaching 85% at IONITY stations across Europe between 9:00am and 5:00pm, with an 80% notification available via the IONITY app. The operator says the scheme aims to reduce wait times at busy hubs by encouraging more efficient turnover of chargers.

Why it matters: The credit model offers CPOs a demand-management tool that can improve asset utilisation without hardware investment, particularly relevant as queuing becomes a customer experience issue at popular corridor sites. For procurement teams, IONITY's approach demonstrates how software-led incentives can shape driver behaviour and potentially inform contract KPIs around charger availability during peak periods.

Axle Energy, a British energy flexibility platform that aggregates EV chargers, batteries and heat pumps for grid balancing, has closed a €21 million Series A led by Energize Capital, with Accel, Picus Capital and Eka Ventures participating. The company will use the funds to expand across the UK and international markets, connecting more distributed energy assets and deepening partnerships with OEMs, utilities and fleet operators. CEO Karl Bach said virtual power plants can bring flexible capacity online in weeks rather than years, reducing reliance on fossil fuel peaker plants when demand spikes.

Why it matters: For charge point operators and fleet managers, Axle's platform offers a revenue stream by turning idle EV chargers into grid services, while procurement teams at utilities and OEMs gain a partner to monetise flexibility and meet rising electricity demand from electrification and data centres. The Series A signals growing investor confidence in software that unlocks value from existing charging infrastructure without new capital expenditure on generation or grid upgrades.

Peak Power has brought a 3.6 MW / 7.2 MWh lithium ion battery energy storage system into commercial operation at Vuteq Canada's manufacturing facility in Woodstock, Ontario, alongside six Level 2 EV chargers installed through Canada's Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program. The battery system, owned by Madison Energy Infrastructure and operated by Peak Power, supports industrial energy cost savings, demand response participation, and grid reliability. The project accompanies a nearly $40 million facility expansion backed by $5 million in provincial funding, creating 145 new jobs.

Why it matters: The integration of workplace charging with behind the meter battery storage at an expanding industrial site demonstrates how manufacturers can bundle EV infrastructure with energy management systems to control costs and support grid services. The ZEVIP funded chargers provide a procurement model for workplace charging rollouts tied to facility capital projects in Canada.

The World Resources Institute reports that 230 electric school buses across deployed vehicle to grid projects can now supply 8 MWh of power back to the grid at any given time, enough to power approximately 1,600 typical US homes for up to four hours. California leads US adoption, with Oakland Unified School District operating the largest project of 74 buses that add an estimated 2.1 GWh of clean energy to the state's grid annually. The deployments helped utilities manage peak demand during last week's heat wave.

Why it matters: Vehicle to grid capability is emerging as a practical grid service, with school bus fleets offering predictable availability during summer peak demand periods. The figures demonstrate early commercial scale for bidirectional charging infrastructure that CPOs and fleet operators can now price into procurement decisions.

Truck manufacturer Scania has successfully demonstrated vehicle to grid (V2G) technology for heavy commercial vehicles using the Megawatt Charging System (MCS), with charging rates reaching up to 750 kW (1,000 A). The bidirectional charging system enables electric truck fleets to provide grid flexibility services including peak shaving, grid balancing and energy storage, while improving utilisation of local renewable energy generation such as solar power. The technology is initially expected to be most useful in depot charging environments where vehicles are parked for longer periods, with secure real time communication between truck, charger and energy management systems allowing dynamic control based on transport needs and grid conditions.

Why it matters: This demonstration marks a significant step in proving MCS infrastructure can support bidirectional charging at megawatt scale, potentially transforming depot operators from pure energy consumers into grid service providers. For CPOs and fleet depot planners, the technology opens new revenue streams through grid services while improving the business case for high power charging infrastructure investments.

While modern EVs carry batteries large enough to power a home for days, only select models include the hardware and software for safe bidirectional charging. Ford's F-150 Lightning leads adoption in the United States, offering up to 9.6 kW of vehicle to home power output for backup during outages or peak shaving. An update from 20 May 2026 notes new V2H capable models from Volvo and the return of the ID.BUZZ.

Why it matters: Procurement teams evaluating fleet electrification or workplace charging must verify V2H compatibility if they plan to use EVs for grid services or resilience, as the feature is not standard across models. CPOs exploring vehicle to grid or vehicle to building revenue streams face a limited pool of compatible vehicles, constraining business case development.

Pod Point has introduced Pod Power by EDF, a new electricity tariff offering seven hours of off-peak charging overnight for electric vehicle owners in the UK. The tariff is designed to encourage charging during periods of lower grid demand. The product was announced via Future Transport News and represents a collaboration between the charge point operator and energy supplier EDF.

Why it matters: Time of use tariffs can reduce operational costs for fleet operators and influence site utilisation patterns, while partnerships between CPOs and energy suppliers may shape future commercial charging propositions and grid integration strategies.

Design News reports that bidirectional AC charging technology is reducing the cost of using electric vehicles as backup power sources. The article highlights how this approach allows EVs to supply power back to homes or the grid during outages or peak demand periods, making vehicle to home and vehicle to grid applications more economically viable. The publication focuses on engineering and design innovations in the automotive and energy sectors.

Why it matters: Lower backup power costs strengthen the business case for bidirectional charging infrastructure, potentially influencing procurement specifications and opening new revenue streams for charge point operators offering vehicle to grid services.

Australia's national science agency has launched a AU$3 million upgrade to its Renewable Energy Integration Facility in Newcastle, adding capabilities to test vehicle to grid technology, simulate microgrids and validate inverter performance under real world conditions. The facility can run large scale experiments combining solar, batteries and electric vehicles, with demonstrations showing EVs storing excess solar energy and returning power to the grid during peak periods. The expansion follows the Electric Vehicle Council's recent call for AU$3,000 government rebates on V2G chargers, which it estimates could reduce electricity bills by more than AU$4,500 over five years.

Why it matters: The lab gives Australian V2G hardware and software suppliers a domestic testbed to validate products before commercial rollout, potentially accelerating procurement timelines for fleet operators and charge point operators exploring bidirectional charging. It also signals public sector commitment to V2G infrastructure at a time when subsidy proposals are under consideration, which could shape tender specifications and business cases for depot charging projects.

Manchester based Leasing Options, which placed third in the BN25 league table with 14,666 orders in 2025, has partnered with Ohme to highlight misconceptions about EV charging costs. AA research shows 80% of drivers believe EVs are too expensive to purchase and only 21% think they are cheaper to run than petrol or diesel. Ohme data reveals that at the UK's standard variable tariff of 27.69p per kWh, an EV can travel around 90 miles for the cost of a gallon of unleaded petrol, which powers a typical petrol car for 40 miles, while smart off peak tariffs at 7p per kWh can extend that range to over 350 miles.

Why it matters: Persistent cost misconceptions may slow EV adoption and reduce demand for charging infrastructure, despite data showing EVs cost significantly less per mile than petrol vehicles. Correcting these perceptions is critical for CPOs and fleet operators to justify investment in home and workplace charging solutions.

Pod Point has introduced Pod Rewards, a cashback scheme for customers using its flexible home charging tariffs. The programme aims to incentivise off-peak charging by offering financial rewards to users who charge during lower-demand periods. The announcement was reported by EV Powered and targets the UK residential charging market.

Why it matters: The move signals growing competition in the home charging sector, where tariff innovation and customer retention tools are becoming key differentiators. Procurement teams and CPOs monitoring residential charging trends should note how loyalty schemes may influence hardware and service bundling strategies.

General Motors is advancing vehicle-to-home (V2H) technology as part of a broader home energy ecosystem in the United States. The initiative allows EVs to supply power back to homes during outages or peak demand periods. GM's push positions the automaker at the forefront of bidirectional charging deployment in the residential market.

Why it matters: V2H capability creates new value propositions for EV buyers and may influence home charging infrastructure specifications and grid integration requirements. Procurement teams and CPOs should monitor how bidirectional standards evolve, as they could affect future hardware purchases and utility partnerships.

XCharge North America and New York contractor Energy Plus will construct a large EV charging depot near Bedford Avenue and the Williamsburg Bridge, installing 44 GridLink battery storage units providing 9.46 MWh of capacity across 88 parking spaces. The bidirectional system will charge during off-peak hours and can supply power back to the city grid during peak demand or blackouts, aiming to serve EV owners and taxi or rideshare drivers without straining local infrastructure.

Why it matters: The project demonstrates how battery storage can enable high-density urban charging without costly grid upgrades, a model that procurement teams and CPOs may replicate in congested metro areas. Bidirectional capability also opens revenue streams from grid services, improving the business case for large depot installations.